We tend to think about ticks in the heat of the summer, but ticks are actually hardy little insects! They will go into hiding once the temperature dips below freezing, but once it’s consistently above that 32 degree mark, they are back out and ready for action! That means ticks are out and about NOW in Pennsylvania! Fortunately, there are many actions you can take to protect your property from dangerous ticks and the illnesses they can carry.

Controlling ticks in the yard

The best way to control ticks is to target their habitats to make your yard a place where they don’t want to hang out. Here’s what you can do now to control ticks on your property:

2. Choose plants that deter ticks: Use your garden to your advantage! Ticks are deterred by mint, lavender, rosemary, marigolds and citronella grass. An added bonus is that mosquitoes and fleas also hate these strong smelling plants, so start planting!

3. Keep Deer Off Your Property: Deer are the primary carrier of ticks through the yard. Use Deer Repellent treatments to deter deer from feeding on valuable plants and carrying ticks into your yard. You can go a step further and check the landscape to identify and remove plants that are attracting deer to the yard. HGTV provides a list of plants that are repellent to deer.

4. Tick Control Treatments: Giroud offers both 100% organic and traditional chemical based treatments to control ticks. A Giroud Expert will assess your property for tick “Hot Spots” and suggest a treatment plan to attack ticks where they gather. They’ll treat around the perimeter of the property and other high-risk areas where ticks are likely to live.

Check for ticks after outdoor activities: Even with tick control in the yard, it’s still important to check family members and pets after any outdoor excursion.

“Tick protection starts with controlling ticks in the yard, the place where everyone spends the most time outdoors,” says Lou Giroud, President and ISA Certified Arborist. “However, families must take additional precautions by checking for ticks after outdoor activities and if discovered quickly removing ticks before disease can be spread.”

Conduct a full-body tick check using a hand-held or full-length mirror. Parents should check children for ticks under the arms, in and around the ears, inside the belly button, behind the knees, between the legs, around the waist, and especially in the hair.

Examine gear and pets. Ticks can ride into the home on clothing and pets, then attach to a person later, so carefully examine pets, coats, and day packs.

Removing a Tick Embedded in the Skin: If a tick is discovered, University of Manitoba tick expert, Kateryn Rochon, Ph.D.’s video shows how to remove a tick with tweezers. The CDC also offers detailed instructions for removing a tick:

Use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin’s surface as possible.

Pull upward with steady, even pressure. Don’t twist or jerk the tick; this can cause the mouth-parts to break off and remain in the skin. If this happens, remove the mouth-parts with tweezers. If you are unable to remove the mouth easily with clean tweezers, leave it alone and let the skin heal.

After removing the tick, thoroughly clean the bite area and your hands with rubbing alcohol, an iodine scrub, or soap and water.

Dispose of a live tick by submersing it in alcohol, placing it in a sealed bag/container, wrapping it tightly with tape, or flushing it down the toilet. Never crush a tick with your fingers.

The illnesses and diseases caused by these bloodthirsty insects can be damaging for life. Protect yourself and your loved ones now. Call 215-682-7704 to schedule your FREE Evaluation with a Giroud Tick Expert!